Brazil Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in brazil, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Highly Automated and Autonomous Systems
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Overview 

The Brazilian highly automated, autonomous, and uncrewed systems and robotics, specifically in the military segment, is primarily focus on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). This sub-sector has experienced significant developments in past years due to an increased need for UAV, mainly in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, data collections, search and rescue missions, and combatting illicit activities in remote areas. 

The Brazilian Air Space Control Department (DECEA), a government entity under the Air Force Command, is responsible for regulating military UAV operations in the country.

The Brazilian Air Force was the Brazilian armed force’s pioneer in operating UAV, followed by the Brazilian Navy. The Brazilian Navy recently created a new air unit, the 1st Squadron of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (EsqdQE-1) at the São Pedro da Aldeia Naval Air Base (BAeNSPA), the main operating base of the Naval Aviation of the Brazilian Navy. The Brazilian Army is also developing its first combat drones armed with missiles. It is expected to be tested in 2025, and it will be used mainly in the Amazon region for tactical surveillance and border monitoring missions.

While the Brazilian defense sector has suffered budget cuts in recent years, the armed forces maintain focus on using new technologies. The Brazilian defense industry is actively involved in the development of autonomous systems, including unmanned ground vehicles, alongside drone technologies.  
 

Leading Subsectors 

Leading subsectors that represent best business opportunities in the sector in Brazil includes Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) widely used for surveillance, reconnaissance, environmental protection and combat of illicit activities; ground robotics used by special squadron working on explosive ordnance disposal. The sector also presents some opportunities for anti-drone technology.  

Opportunities 

Although the Brazilian Armed Forces prefer to develop its own technology instead of depending on the acquisition of controlled products from foreign companies, there are still some promising business opportunities to supply UAVs to the Brazilian armed forces. 

The Brazilian Operations and Management Center for the Amazon Protection (CENSIPAM) is an entity of the Brazilian Ministry of Defense dedicated to the management and protection of the legal Amazon and Blue Amazon. Acquisition of small drones and UAVs to assist in the monitoring of the Amazon forest are done on regular basis depending on budget viability. Acquisitions are made through public bid. Whoever complies with the technical specifications and offers the lowest price wins the bid. All government acquisitions are published at https://www.gov.br/compras/pt-br/. 

Resources 

Principal entities working on the Brazilian space technology system sector and trade shows are:  

Brazilian Government 

Trade Shows 

 

For more information, please contact U.S. Commercial Service Industry Specialist Daniele Andrews: Daniele.Andrews@trade.gov.